Samara Kothari

About Samara

Samara Kothari is a senior at The Spence School whose work explores the intersection of art, history, and identity. A sculptor and jewelry artist, she has trained for four years under a mentor from the New York Academy of Art, developing mixed-media pieces that merge casting, mold-making, and unconventional materials into sculptural forms of adornment.er academic curiosity mirrors her studio practice. She has completed college-level coursework in art history and fashion, researching how symbolism, craftsmanship, and cultural exchange have shaped design across centuries. As part of a school fellowship, Samara is conducting independent historical research on the evolution of paisleys and the pashmina shawl—tracing their journey across regions, traditions, and time. Beyond the studio, Samara’s creative voice is rooted in activism and community. She founded the Artivism Club at Spence to ignite dialogue through collaborative installations that connect art with environmental and social awareness. A certified diver since age 14, she draws inspiration from the underwater world and her firsthand experiences witnessing ocean decline—an influence that continues to shape the environmental focus of her art.